Challenging bullying, racism and discrimination

The City of Edinburgh Children and Families Department will not tolerate any form of bullying within its educational establishments. The Department is committed to eliminating bullying from its establishments.

Bullying is any unacceptable form of behaviour through which an individual or group of individuals are or feel threatened, abused or undermined by another individual or group of individuals. Bullying can be expressed through physical, verbal, or intimidatory behaviour or in the form of marginalisation. People can be bullied on the grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic status, nationality, religion or other real or perceived differences. However, it can also be for no apparent reason.

There are considerable benefits from tackling bullying effectively and consistently:

• improved safety of young people
• improved standards of behaviour
• improved academic performance
• increased self-esteem and motivation
• improved attendance
• improved partnerships, communications and trust with all parties.

Also see the Guidance on positively challenging Bullying, Racism and Discrimination (PDF).